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Stephen Hawking has thrown his weight behind an academic boycott of Israel by
pulling out of a conference hosted by President Peres.

The eminent physicist had previously accepted an invitation to speak at the
event in June alongside international personalities, including Bill Clinton
and Tony Blair. Yesterday it emerged that Professor Hawking, who is 71, had
written to the organisers to confirm his support for the boycott after being
lobbied by Palestinian academics.

In a letter to the Israeli President, he said: “I have received a number of
e-mails from Palestinian academics. They are unanimous that I should respect
the